Ah, how lovely the weather is in the Cobalt Coastlands this afternoon. The breeze is delightful, and the water is cool (but not too cool!). The sky above is devoid of clouds, the sun gazing down upon the Hisui region, its rays enveloping everything in a hug of pleasantly warm, golden light as you stroll around Ginkgo Landing to look for Pop Pods. The Supply Corps has been running low on them, back in Jubilife Village, so you thought you’d be nice and fetch some for them while you were out.

You take in a deep breath, filling your lungs with the fresh, salty air. In ll of your time here in Hisui, these sort of moments are your favorite: the calm atmosphere devoid of hostile wild Pokémon, the calm that often comes right after the storm. You may never get back to your own timeline, and you will always miss it. However, after accepting this fact, you’ve found it far easier to move on with your life and enjoy what you have now, rather than longing for what you had before (will have in the future?).

“That should do it.”

You mutter to yourself as you stuff three more Pop Pods (not without a bit of a struggle) into your satchel. This will be plenty, you’re sure of it.

However, before you can turn back, something catches your attention: a man, his lower half underwater, tangled in what seems to be a fisherman’s net. Curiosity getting the better of you (when does it not), you move closer to get a better look.

Yes, you soon realize, that is indeed a young, blonde-haired man (fins in place of his ears, strangely enough), lying unconscious whilst tangled up in a fisherman’s net.

However, as you move closer to help, his eyes snap open, and he… hisses, as if startled, then hisses again when he notices you. He attempts to scramble back in the water, but the net tightens around his body. With a choked gasp and a cough, he flops back down onto the sand, looking defeated.

This is when you notice the tail. His tail, bloodied and cut by the net digging into it.

You’ve seen a lot of strange things as a member of the Survey Corps, but to be honest? You thought the fishermen in Jubilife were all old and crazy when they told you stories of sirens and merfolk, or that they’d mistaken Pokémon for such creatures.

The man in front of you growls, using his free arm to slash webbed, clawed hands in your direction, and you stumble back.